Olunga’s strike gives Al Duhail first victory

Al Duhail’s Michael Olunga in action during the AFC Champions League Group D match against Sepahan in Buraidah, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday.

Qatar’s Al Duhail got their first win in Group D of the AFC Champions League thanks to Michael Olunga’s late effort in a game that finished 1-0 against Sepahan SC at the King Abdullah Sports City on Sunday. Al Duhail needed the win following their defeat against group hosts Al Taawoun on the opening matchday, and they duly delivered despite missing a host of chances in the first half, not managing any shots on target though they clicked into gear in the second. It was a quick start as Moharram Navidkia’s charges threatened from the off, with just three minutes on the clock when Shahriyar Moghanlou’s attempted shot found its way to Sajjad Shahbazadeh, who smashed the resulting shot against the far post before eventually being flagged offside. Al Duhail held just over 65% of the ball across the first half but despite dominating proceedings and having the bulk of chances, the closest they got to goalmouth action was when Olunga’s shot was blocked after an intelligent piece of play by Edmilson. Hernan Crespo’s men had their first shot on target two minutes into the second period of play. Mohamed Hosseini conceded a corner, with Edmilson’s corner finding Bassam al-Rawi whose tame header bounced before keeper Mohamed Mazaheri held it comfortably. Hosseini missed a golden chance to take the Isfahan-based side ahead, when he dispossessed Belgian centre-back Toby Alderweireld - the last man at the back - and made a run for goal before inexplicably firing wide of the post when one on one against the keeper. Moghanlou came agonisingly close a little before the hour mark, when he charged into the area and managed to chip Salah Zakaria, but his chip was slow and Alderweireld managed to get back in time to clear it off the line. Al Duhail stepped up their final third operations with Karim Boudiaf finding Nam Tae-hee from the right flank but the Korea Republic midfielder, a little over six yards away from goal, made a heavy touch and saw it go wide. With just six minutes to go, 2021 top scorer Olunga did what he does best to open his account for the campaign. Quiet throughout the game, Almoez Ali played an excellent ball into the area and the Kenyan finished with a diving header to give his side their first three points. Up next for Al Duhail are Uzbek Super League champions Pakhtakor on Thursday, while Sepahan face Al Taawoun. In another match, Shabab Al Ahli Dubai came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against Foolad Khouzestan in Group C. Foolad was on track to secure their first win in the campaign when Ahmad Noorollahi scored an own goal in the 83rd minute before Fede Cartabia leveled the score late in the match as both teams shared the points.